Subject:
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Re: LEGO trains...The Future of Model Railroading?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Tue, 23 Nov 1999 18:58:18 GMT
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Reply-To:
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johnneal@uswest.^avoidspam^net
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Viewed:
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804 times
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Frank Filz wrote:
> Some thoughts of mine:
>
> A few people have weighed in that no matter what, we should promote
> _pure_ LEGO modeling. I think this is a wrong opinion. So long as we
> promote a monopoly, we will get the service a monopoly creates.
I disagree. We are all here because we enjoy LEGO. Trains just happens to
be one theme in the LEGO family. Why should we rush out and bring in
non-LEGO material? For instance, I hear plenty of grumbling in .SW about
the lack of blasters, but I don't recall someone suggesting using some
Kenner blaster or something. I *have* heard, however, people suggesting
creative ways to create blasters. And isn't that what it is all about?
This topic has been discussed many times, but I'll say it again. We are a
unique breed playing with a toy exclusively produced by one manufacturer--
I can't think of another situation (D&D cards, etc notwithstanding) where
this is true. Or at least to the extent AFOLs have taken the brick.
Adding non-LEGO elements, to me, is... is uncreative; it's...not LEGO:-p
Getting back to trains, if you really want all of the things the MRR world
has to offer, why model in LEGO? Why not just model in "O" gauge? There
are plenty of opportunities to build in MRR, and from scratch-- arguably a
more creative process than building with bricks.
> If Mega
> Bloks were to start selling trains, I would buy them. If they were
> absolute junk, I would return them, and write them a letter explaining
> why I returned them.
>
> My biggest dream is for a model railroading cottage manufacturer to
> decide that LEGO compatible trains are a wonderfull niche market, and to
> start manufacturing a small selection of special pieces which would
> enhance our hobby.
My biggest dream is for TLC to do that for us.
> Once we get a strong hobby built up with multiple vendors, THEN think
> about being LEGO exclusive if you want to honor the company which
> founded the hobby (the reason Lionel and American Flyer have devoted
> collectors groups is because these were the dominating brands at the
> birth of commerical model railroading).
>
> What we do want to promote is maintaining a LEGO feel to our efforts.
Not possible. If it isn't ALL LEGO, then it will cease to have a LEGO
feel. We at the GMLTC are proud to say that *everything* on the layout is
LEGO (save decals). That has impact. Once you open Pandora's box of
non-LEGO accessories, watch out. The slope is slippery, and the shades are
gray...
> This means that we should not go out an use non-LEGO track and scenery
> in general (I'll make an exception for outdoor railroading, I'd like to
> have a permanent outdoor layout, and I'm not going to risk my LEGO
> track, nor spend a million bucks to cover my yard in LEGO bricks). I
> would prefer to see automation done with LEGO solutions, but if someone
> wants to put DCC into a LEGO train - great! If someone comes up with a
> non-LEGO solution to power their huge display layout, great! The last
> thing you want in a display is unreliable power - if LEGO controllers
> are not up to the task, we would be doing LEGO trains a disservice by
> trying to use them - people will come away saying "gee, LEGO trains are
> pretty, and they are more rugged for my kids, but they keep breaking
> down", and attitude we know is wrong, the reliability of the LEGO
> controller and motor seems very good for a small layout such as most
> people will have at home.
>
> If other manufacturers get on the bandwagon, so long as their products
> follow the ideals of LEGO, I would say feel free to use them. Things I
> would accept (all must maintain LEGO compatible geometry and colors):
>
> - curved track at different radii
> - turnouts with different geometries
> - longer and shorter straight sections
> - some new pieces to make making technic truss bridges a little easier
> - printed bricks
> - different types of windows and doors
> - electrical pick up wheelset
> - components to build steam engines (1)
> - a DCC unit in a brick
> - a smaller computer unit (preferrably 4 wide)
> - a 6 wheel motor (w/jumper so that it can be
> run as is, or combined with the DCC unit)
> - a new 4 wheel motor with the same jumper
> - above motors to have replaceable gears so
> we can chose a toy rocket train gearing, or
> a modeling slower gearing (2)
> - a quality controller with accessory power,
> momentum etc
> - some very long, large guage feeder wires
> - american style knuckle couplers, suitable
> for automatic uncoupling
> - uncoupling unit for same
> - a set of lighting units at a reasonable cost
> with replaceable bulbs
>
> Things which I might accept:
>
> - different colored bricks (imagine buckets with colors themed for your
> favorite railroad)
> - an extensive arrangement of Tyco style plates and tiles at 1/2 brick
> thickness
> - pieces which significantly extend/change the geometru
> - flex track
> - 12v or 18v components for better electrical performance
> - other electrical accesories (3)
>
> Things I would not accept:
>
> - one (or a few) piece body shells (ala the Mega Bloks Nascar series)
> - components which are poor quality (Mega Bloks is going to need to come
> out with something pretty impressive, or really improve their quality if
> they are going to actually catch my attention)
Guess what. They are producing the best stuff they can. Nothing will live
up to TLC specs and thus you will never be satisfied with their or anyone
else's quality.
> ---------------------
>
> (1) what I would love to see here is the following parts:
>
> - one or two sizes of large drivers which fit on technic axles
> - decent looking valve gear and rods
>
> with these components, and the electrical pickup
> wheelset mentioned above, we can use existing
> technic parts to make the rest of the drive system
>
> Another way would be a 4 wheel and/or a 6 wheel motor
> with large drive wheels.
>
> (2) This should also give us motors which will be able to pull larger
> loads
>
> (3) I can't think of too many automated devices which couldn't be built
> with existing LEGO components.
All of your ideas, Frank, are good ones, but I think 1) no manufacturer
would ever invest as such for such a tiny market and so the point is moot,
and b) wouldn't it be awesome if TLC did these things? I think *that* is
where we should be directing our efforts.
-John
>
>
> --
> Frank Filz
>
> -----------------------------
> Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com (business only please)
> Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: LEGO trains...The Future of Model Railroading?
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| (...) <much good stuff snipped> (...) <more good stuff snipped> The GMLTC layout, if you haven't seen pictures yet, is about 13.5 feet by 19 feet. We estimate around 750,000 bricks. 175 or so feet of track, three different independent rail lines (...) (25 years ago, 23-Nov-99, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: LEGO trains...The Future of Model Railroading?
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| (...) I still will respectively disagree. If we refuse to use anything non-LEGO, my prediction is that we will NEVER get much if anything from the list? If we grant TLC a total monopoly (which is what you are proposing) on this type of toy, we will (...) (25 years ago, 23-Nov-99, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: LEGO trains...The Future of Model Railroading?
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| Mostly I agree, BUT.... (...) <snip> (...) Not more, not less. Just a different type of creativity. I've expounded on this before: what we do is work in a medium and we, when we stay "pure", are working within the limits of the medium. My goal is to (...) (25 years ago, 23-Nov-99, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: LEGO trains...The Future of Model Railroading?
|
| Some thoughts of mine: A few people have weighed in that no matter what, we should promote _pure_ LEGO modeling. I think this is a wrong opinion. So long as we promote a monopoly, we will get the service a monopoly creates. If Mega Bloks were to (...) (25 years ago, 22-Nov-99, to lugnet.trains)
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